2001 WHO classification of hepatic hydatid cysts

Last revised by Henry Knipe on 21 Aug 2023

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Venkatesh M, Knipe H, Deng F, et al. 2001 WHO classification of hepatic hydatid cysts. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 06 Dec 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-26148

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-26148

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/26148

rID:

26148

Article created:

2 Dec 2013, Manchikanti Venkatesh

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Manchikanti Venkatesh had no recorded disclosures.

View Manchikanti Venkatesh's current disclosures

Last revised:

21 Aug 2023, Henry Knipe ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Henry Knipe had the following disclosures:

Integral Diagnostics, Shareholder (ongoing)
Micro-X Ltd, Shareholder (ongoing)

These were assessed during peer review and were determined to not be relevant to the changes that were made.

View Henry Knipe's current disclosures

Revisions:

26 times, by 20 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Hepatobiliary

Sections:

Classifications

Tags:

hydatid cyst, hepatic, refs

Synonyms:

WHO classification of hepatic hydatid cysts
World Health Organization 2001 classification of hydatid liver cysts
2001 World Health Organization classification of hepatic hydatid cysts

The 2001 World Health Organizatiοn (WHO) classification of hepatic hydatid cysts is used to assess the stage of hepatic hydatid cysts on ultrasound and is useful in deciding the appropriate management depending on the stage of the cyst. This classification was proposed by the WHO in 2001 and, at the time of writing (July 2016), remains the most widely used classification for hepatic hydatid cysts.

Classification

CL
- unilocular anechoic cystic lesion
- no internal echoes or septations
CE 1 (active stage)
- uniformly anechoic cyst with fine internal echoes may only be visible after patient repositioning ²
- internal echoes represent "hydatid sand" (fluid and protoscolices originating from a ruptured vesicle) ²
CE 2 (active stage)
- cyst with internal septation
  - septa represent walls of daughter cyst(s) ²
  - described as multivesicular, rosette, or honeycomb appearance
CE 3 (transitional stage)
- the evolving appearance of daughter cyst(s) within the encompassing parent cyst
- 3A: daughter cysts have detached laminated membranes (water lily sign)
- 3B: daughter cysts within a solid matrix
CE 4 (inactive/degenerative)
- absence of daughter cysts
- mixed hypoechoic and hyperechoic matrix, resembling a ball of wool (ball of wool sign)
CE 5 (inactive/degenerative)
- arch-like, thick partially or completely calcified wall